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Source Code Location

MZpack ships the complete C# source for all API samples, built-in strategies, signals, and framework classes alongside the compiled library. This page explains where those files live on disk and what the [INSTALL PATH] placeholder used throughout the API reference refers to.

What [INSTALL PATH] Means​

Every Source: line in the API reference points to a .cs file with a path like:

[INSTALL PATH]/API/Strategies/FootprintAction/FootprintAction.cs

[INSTALL PATH] is the MZpack for NinjaTrader 8 installation folder you chose when running the setup wizard. Every [INSTALL PATH]/API/... path in the docs is relative to that folder — replace the placeholder with your own installation path to locate the file.

Installation Folder Layout​

All source code lives under the \API\ subfolder of the installation directory:

FolderContents
\API\samples\API samples — data access and strategy samples (the Samples walkthroughs)
\API\Strategies\<Name>\Built-in strategy source — the Source Code walkthroughs (FootprintAction, GhostResistance, Data_Export, DrawingObjects_Export)
\API\Signals\Signal framework base classes (Node.cs, Signal.cs, LogicalNode.cs, RangeNode.cs) and the built-in signal files
\API\Indicators\Strategy indicator classes (StrategyFootprintIndicator.cs, StrategyVolumeDeltaIndicator.cs, …)
\API\Extensions\Entries / Exits / TrailsEntry, Exit, and Trail extensions
\API\Actions\, \API\Filters\Action and Filter classes
\API\ML\Machine learning source
\API\ (root)Core framework: Strategy.cs, MZpackStrategyBase.cs, Position.cs, Positions.cs, RiskManagement.cs, TradingTime.cs, Pattern.cs, Range.cs

Samples vs. the Zip Download​

The samples are precompiled and ready to run in NinjaTrader — you can use them without touching the source. The \API\samples\ folder holds the source so you can read, modify, and recompile them.

A zip archive of the samples is also available on mzpack.pro, but the version on the site may lag behind your installed version — prefer the files in the installation folder. Do not import the zip into NinjaTrader. Unzip it to a folder and use it only to study the API.

Compiling a Sample​

The samples are wrapped in #if APISAMPLE blocks so they don't compile as-is. To build one, copy its .cs file into Documents\NinjaTrader 8\bin\Custom\Strategies\, remove the directives, and add a reference to MZpack.NT8.Pro.dll. See Project Setup → Working with Samples for the full steps.